Homelessness is set to be discussed at Stormont this week in the wake of the tragic death of Catherine Kenny on a Belfast street.

Catherine, 32, died in the doorway of a shop in Donegall Place on Saturday morning at 9am.

She is the fifth person from the homeless community to die since the turn of the year in Belfast.

Social Development Minister Lord Morrow said he would bring a draft action plan on homelessness to the Executive meeting this Thursday for consideration.

He had initiated a high level Ministerial group which had its first meeting with representatives from the homeless sector on March 14.

The draft plan addresses a number of short time actions including the need to make existing services more accessible, address current identified gaps in services, improve linkages between the services and raise public awareness on some key issues.

Lord Morrow said the issue of homelessness and those sleeping rough on the streets continues to be a priority for him and his Executive colleagues.

"First and foremost I want to express my deepest sympathies to all the families who have lost their loved ones in such tragic circumstances," he said.

"Life is very precious and the death of Catherine Kenny who is the fifth person to die is of great concern and one, which we, as a society cannot accept.

"I am determined that this complex issue requires a number of statutory and voluntary agencies to work together to tackle it.

"It is often characterised as being solely about rough sleeping when this is not the full picture. There are places available for people who choose to sleep rough on our streets and I would appeal to them and importantly to those who know them to avail of these and to access the wrap around services and help that is available.

"Following on from the Ministerial meeting held on 14 March I intend to bring a draft action plan to the Executive meeting this Thursday 24th March for consideration by my Executive colleagues.

"This draft plan addresses a number of short time actions including the need to make existing services more accessible, address current identified gaps in services, improve linkages between the services and raise public awareness on some key issues. A number of longer term actions have also been identified."

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has statutory responsibility for responding to homelessness. The Department for Social Development provides funding of over £35 million for homelessness services in Northern Ireland.

This funding includes help for those in emergency situations, funding for work to prevent homelessness, as well as housing support services through the Supporting People Programme.